Petition calls for lower speed limit on Upper Gage after 11-year-old boy's death

Apetition with166signatures is callingto reduce the speed limit on the stretch of Upper Gage Avenue where 11-year-old Jude Strickland was struck and killed in December.

The petition, presented at a Public Works Committee meeting on Monday,requests the speed limit on Upper Gage Avenue between Stone Church Road East and Rymal Road East fallfrom 50 km/h to 40 km/h.

Jude died two daysafter being struck by a pick-up truck while crossing the street on his way home from Templemead Elementary School. Police say the 28-year-old driver didn't stop for both the traffic light and the crossing guard.

His father, Jamie, previously said changes to the stretch of road were "overdue," and the city is undergoing a safety audit of the road.

Timothy Taylor and Tiffany Bound-Koocher, residents of the Templemead neighbourhood, collected signatures for the petition. Taylor said roughly half of the signatures came from residents who live in the area and would be "directly" affected by the change. Taylor said62 signatures came from staff members at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton.

Taylor also mentioned the city's traffic calming policy prevents Upper Gage from being included because it's an arterial road.

"This petition might not go far enough and the city needs to look at creating an addendum to that policy to create safe spaces on arterialpolicies like the one at Upper Gage and Royalvista," he said.

"It's pretty recognized people zoom through this stretch."

Ward 6 Councillor Tom Jackson noted there are two large neighbourhoods full of children who live on either side of the road. Heand other committee members supportedthe petition, ensuring Jude's death "won't be in vain."

Mike Field, manager of transportation and operations,said the city installed digital speed signs on both directionsof Upper Gage and pedestrian countdown timers "on all legs of the Royalvista intersection as well."

He added the results of the safety assessment will be presented at the next meeting on Feb. 19 that will include the consideration of a reduced speed limit, flashing light sign, photoradar, a red light camera and realignment of the curblane on Stone Church Road.

Jackson also said he has spoken to Hamilton Police Service's new20-member centralized traffic unit about the area.

A memorial service for Jude will be held at Eleanor Park at a later date,Jackson said.